Enchantment of the Seas

Overall Rating

David

Age: 48

Occupation:IT

Number of Cruises: 2

Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean

Ship: Enchantment of the Seas

Sailing Date: 2010-09-6

Itinerary: Western Caribbean

I had a good time. Leaving from Baltimore without having to fly is really nice. I think the ship is in need of some modernization but it is well kept and very clean. I've only been on one other cruise (Carnival), also out of Baltimore. I thought the RC crew took a little bit more care of you than Carnival. Some cruise ships allow you to take travel irons if they are steam only. Royal Caribbean does not but their web site doesn't say this. We had to wait through a long line of mostly people with steam irons waiting to get their bags. I also recommend don't take any alcohol. A lot of people did try and got caught. We had to wait through the same lines to get our bag. They'll take your steam iron and you'll get it back after arriving at port at the lost and found. There was a lot (emphasis on a lot) of alcohol taken. I asked what happens to it once taken and the crew member said it goes to the bar. Taking alcohol unless you can really conceal it will make paying for that $8.00 drink a little less tastier. This one was a big one for us "SMOKING". I think I smoked packs and packs of cigarettes aboard Enchantment of the Seas through second hand smoke. Everyone seems to congregate outside the doors and on the decks to smoke. So for those who smoke - good for you. For those who don't - be prepared. I do like Carnival's smoking policy that said "If you do smoke - here's where you can smoke!"

I thought the food was very good but not great. We had dinner at Chops scheduled for two nights but cancelled the second one. The food in the Windjammer is typical buffet food but sitting in "My Fair Lady" where they serve you, the food tended to be better. Also, getting a seat up in the Windjammer was difficult at times. The wait staff was excellent.

Stateroom was nice. Bathroom was small but I guess they all are. The stateroom attendants were really nice and if you needed anything, I just had to open my door and say "Kenneth" as he instructed me to do so.

They were nice. Bingo is super expensive. They now have electronic bingo where you purchase the use of a contraption and it keeps track of bingo for you. You just kind of sit there. They have daily movies, casino, trivia, painting, and so on.

The Segway tour of San Juan was awesome. Sign up quick as these go fast. If you've never been to San Juan, there are a lot of hills. We did 12 miles and got to see a lot of awesome historical stuff. Significantly more than that of those who were on the walking tour. The private island escape "Malfini Beach" in Labadee Haiti was nice. The waters were rough elsewhere because of the hurricane but this was somewhat secluded. Plus, drinking rum flavored punch of coconuts was neat. While in the Dominican Republic, we had lunch on the beach. I ordered a lobster and the young man went out in the water and came back with a lobster. Probably the freshest lobster I ever ate. Be prepared, for the marketplace in the DR. They sellers will mob you.

Because of Hurricane "Earl", we missed St Thomas. I would of given a higher rating for value but I thought the cruise line would take you to an alternate port but we just road at sea an extra day which was a bummer. The convenience of leaving from Baltimore keeps you at sea longer and adding an extra day at sea instead of a port is a bummer. When we registered through RC, we asked for private dining but instead were seated with another couple. However, that turned out great. We had two couples sitting next to us and they all were great. Met a couple that was celebrating 69 years of marriage. That was really cool.